Truck Driver Killed By Commuter Train

I haven't looked at a satellite view of the property, but if backing across the tracks are the only way to approach the dock I would decline the delivery.
In 40 + years if I had a dollar for every customer who said "Guys back in here all the time", No one else ever gave us a hard time, C'mon driver then we have to take it off your truck with a fork lift and that might take a while, and dozens of other excuses to operate in an unsafe manner, I would be far richer.
The train has the total right of way, for obvious reasons. Anyone who thinks the latest technology for applying brakes in such situations is ignoring the simple physics.
The local zoning/building code folks who allowed this sort of property access, which must have required a variance are largely responsible with the property owner who applied for such.

 

It was mentioned on one post on the news article, that the Sunrail tracks were put in and running in 2014. I would imagine the warehouse was built way before this, but unfortunately did not change their docks in order for drivers to get in there safely. One commenter stated that the same thing happened to him about a week before, where the crossing arms came down suddenly when backing up. The company before the tracks were put in was most likely safe to get into, were they given compensation for the loss of ease to get into their business I wonder, did anyone from the state inspect them for safety of trucks entering, or leaving this site. Blame all the way round here.

 

Bottom line on all of this is that it really doesn't matter whether the tracks pre-dated the warehouse or vise versa. You NEVER enter a rail crossing unless you can clear the tracks without stopping and before a train arrives. ESPECIALLY an active set of tracks.

However, if you ever DO find yourself stuck on some tracks for whatever reason, the 1st thing you should do (before picking up your phone to call anyone) is to take a chain or winch bar (or anything metal) and place it across the tracks. Lights should flash and the gates should come down...but more importantly a signal will be sent to the oncoming trains that something is on the tracks ahead of them. Once you've done that, NOW pick up the phone and call the railroad, navigate through their menu, wait for someone to answer the phone, then they have to figure out which crossing you're talking about, etc. Calling 911 only puts another step in the process, because they'll call the same number and talk to the same person at the railroad. If you didn't do the 1st thing I told you to do, an unsuspecting train could be barreling toward you. It might be 10 minutes before your phone call triggers that stop signal. That chain across the tracks sends it now.

That's some information you should never need, but will help limit the damage if you ever do somehow screw up.

 

Learned something new today, actually had to look it up myself to verify. That's a good thing to know

 

I'm not suggesting ANYONE should intentionally block the tracks. All I'm saying is that IF you ever find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of being stuck on a rail crossing, it beats getting hit by a train. I'm sure the NTSB would prefer a chain be tossed across the tracks to cause trains headed that way to be stopped or rerouted as opposed to spending 15 minutes on the phone with the railroad trying to notify them of the blocked crossing when the next train is due through that crossing in 5 minutes.

It is illegal to enter a crossing without sufficient time to clear the tracks before an approaching train arrives. It is illegal to stop on the tracks. It is illegal to enter a crossing with insufficient ground clearance to clear the tracks. In other words, if you get hit by a train, you've already done at least one of a few different illegal things. My suggestion is only to minimize the damage caused by the illegal situation you find yourself in...avoid damage and possible death...by sending an immediate warning up and down the tracks that the crossing is blocked. That is the FASTEST way to stop trains headed your way, because like I said, that phone call to the railroad might take you 15 minutes before the message gets out to stop traffic. A lot of good that does when the next train is due in less time. Personally, I'd rather take my chances fighting with the law than with a train...because by the time they see you, it's too late for them to stop.

 

Yes, IF you find yourself stuck on the tracks...which if you're doing what you are SUPPOSED to do, will never happen. Which do you think the NTSB, railroad, cops, fire department, paramedics, mayor, local residents and businesses, and other motorists in the area prefer, a trucker stuck on the tracks lays a chain across the tracks to stop traffic? Or be sitting there on the phone with the railroad when a train smashes through the truck, causing a boat load of damage as the truck is pushed sideways for 3/4 mile or the train derails and takes out main street? Seems you're the only one that would prefer the vehicle get hit, because pretty much anybody with an ounce of sense would want the trains to get the message to stop ASAP because the tracks are blocked.